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‘Oh, Mutti…I hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps someone could get them out by car?’
‘Maybe – but who? And there’s one final problem that my mother hasn’t even thought about.’
‘What’s that?’
‘If they want to come to England, they will need an entry visa, and the British government stopped issuing those two and a half years ago.’
‘Why?’
‘To prevent enemy aliens entering the country. The Americans have done the same thing.’
Sofia, normally so calm and controlled, began to cry. ‘They’re going to die like Daddy, aren’t they? Oh Mutti, I hate Hitler and his awful government. I hate them all…they are evil, evil people. How could they be so cruel? Granny and Grandpa have never done anyone any harm.’
Leila held her arms out to her daughter. ‘Come here,liebling…oh Sofia, perhaps I shouldn’t have told you. You seem so grown up these days, and I’ve come to rely on you too much. But it’s not fair…you’re still a child.’
‘No!’ said Sofia. ‘I’d rather you told me the truth. And I’m sorry to be so pathetic. There must be a way we can help them. You’ll think of something, Mutti – you always do.’
Suddenly, Axel called out from the kitchen: ‘Mutti, the dinner’s burning!’
Leila ran to the kitchen, grabbed a cloth, removed the casserole from the oven and put it into the sink, where it sizzled angrily. ‘Damn – that was our meat ration for the week.’
Sofia, who had followed her into the kitchen, wrapped her arms round her mother. ‘Don’t worry about the supper. The casserole will be all right if we add a bit of water. And as for Grandma and Grandpa, we’ll find a way to get them out of Germany.’
‘I hope you’re right, darling…I really hope you’re right.’
33
AUGSBURG
September 1941
Minki’s train from Berlin to Augsburg had taken much longer than usual. Bomb damage to the track meant it had to divert several times en route, finally arriving at Augsburg station three hours late. She and the two boys climbed down onto the platform, and a porter wheeled their luggage into the station hall. There was Minki’s father waiting to greet them. He was initially all smiles, but then suddenly looked perplexed. ‘My dear Minki…I’m delighted to see you all, but where is Clara?’
Minki forced herself to hold back the tears. ‘Let the boys get settled first, Papa, and then I’ll explain.’
The moment they arrived at Gunther’s house, Willie and Felix rushed out into the large garden, glad to be free after a day cooped up on the train. Minki joined her father in the drawing room, keeping an eye on the boisterous youngsters through the window.
‘So tell me, Minki…what has happened to Clara?’
Minki related the awful story of Clara’s kidnap, while her father stared at her in growing horror. ‘The authorities did this without your knowledge or permission?’
‘Max gave his permission – behind my back.’
‘I’m appalled. What did Max imagine they were going to do with her?’
‘They convinced him that she was going to a special school and would be well looked after.’
‘Well, that could be true?’
‘No. I wish it were, but I know too much about their plans to believe them. In their eyes, as an epileptic she is a burden on society. They will probably sterilise her.’
Gunther gasped in shock. ‘They do that to children?’
‘I’m afraid they do, Papa,’
‘Poor, dear little Clara.’
‘I’m surprised. I thought you would take Max’s side. You usually do.’
